Author Archives: ianbethune

Video: The Blitz – Coach Diaco Introduces Staff

If I played you the seven minutes or so of audio of new UConn Huskies football coach Bob Diaco introducing the members of his staff to the media on Wednesday, it would sound exactly like it does in the video below. Minus the lovely Emily Noonan of course.

http://youtube.com/watch?v=uAVNuyfQqso?rel=0

Like him, his staff is very energetic. To me, it was almost like he filled out his staff with clones of himself.

I really do think this is going to be an exciting time for UConn football under Diaco. Only time will tell that but give him a year or two and he'll have UConn football going where it hasn't gone before.

I'll have more on Diaco's staff coming up over the next several days.

Follow Ian on Twitter @soxanddawgs. And be sure to like us on Facebook as well.

Mike Painter Named Director of Player Personnel For UConn Football

STORRS, Conn. – Michael Painter, who has been on the coaching staffs of five different schools, has been named the Director of Player Personnel for the University of Connecticut football team. In this role, Painter will be highly-involved in the recruiting process of future student-athletes, with particular responsibility in maintaining computerized databases.

UConn Huskies Painter and new UConn head coach Bob Diaco worked on the same staffs at Notre Dame (2010-11) and Cincinnati (2009).

Painter most recently served as a defensive assistant at UMass and as the recruiting coordinator.

In 2012, Painter was the defensive pass game coordinator at Minot (N.D.) State and while coaching secondary and outside linebackers.

Painter was a graduate assistant coach at Notre Dame in 2010 and '11 working with the defense and special teams. Notre Dame played in the 2010 Sun Bowl and 2011 Champs Sports Bowl during his time there.

During the 2007-09 seasons, Painter was a graduate assistant at Cincinnati spending time with the offense, defense and special teams. He was part of two Big East Conference championship teams (2008 and '09) and coached in three bowl games, including the 2009 Orange and 2010 Sugar bowls.

He served as an intern in the Central Michigan football program in 2006. Painter played at Mount Union (Alliance, Ohio) in 2003 and the team was the NCAA Division III national runner-up.

He is a 2006 graduate of Bowling Green and earned his master's from Cincinnati in 2009.

Follow Ian on Twitter @soxanddawgs. And be sure to like us on Facebook as well.

Paw Prints – The Daily UConn Roundup – 1/10

UConn Huskies Daily Roundup

Paw Prints is our daily look at the happenings for the UConn Huskies football, men's basketball and women's basketball teams as well as the other sports the student-athletes engage in. We will do our best to bring you the links from all of the media that covers the Huskies on a daily basis. As always, links can be found by clicking on the read more button below if you're on the home page.

Thank you for stopping by and making SOX & Dawgs your home for UConn Huskies news.

To open the links up in a new tab or window, use Control+click

UConn Women's Basketball links

UConn leads way, though it may take a little time [carl adamec – snyuconn.com]

Tonya Cardoza On Life As The Boss [john altavilla – hartford courant]

Tonya Cardoza’s Temple Of Joy And Responsibility [john altavilla – hartford courant]

Cardoza Senses Auriemma’s Influence On Breanna Stewart [john altavilla – hartford courant]

Huskies Have Made it Look Easy Through The First 16 Games [rich ellliott – ct post]

The Geno Auriemma Show: Recruiting Diana Taurasi [snyuconn.com]

Limited Tickets Remain For Select UConn Basketball Home Games [uconnhuskies.com]

No. 1 UConn Battles Temple In Bridgeport on Saturday [uconnhuskies.com]

Slow starters? Huskies have faced share of early deficits [journal inquirer]

Former Ossining Star Chong Plays For UConn Saturday In Bridgeport [the daily voice]

UConn Men's Basketball links

Limited Tickets Remain For Select UConn Basketball Home Games [uconnhuskies.com]

UConn Men's Basketball Continues Play In The American On Saturday [uconnhuskies.com]

Despite Win Vs. Harvard, UConn Needs To Regain Confidence [hartford courant]

Freshman Brimah makes presence known for Huskies [waterbury republican-american]

UConn Football links

UConn Recruiting Coord. Kevin Wolthausen Really Impressed With Facilities [desmond conner – hartford courant]

UConn Football Updates, Pendergast, Martin [desmond conner – hartford courant]

Former NFL linebacker excited to be coaching at UConn [jim fuller – new haven register]

Foley excited to be part of new UConn staff [jim fuller – new haven register]

Poindexter, Brown Plan To Light A Spark Under UConn's Defense [hartford courant]

Patterson Beat Cancer, And Many Other Odds, To Reach UConn [hartford courant]

Other UConn related links

M. Ice Hockey. Billy Latta Hat Trick Leads Huskies Past Robert Morris, 5-1 [uconnhuskies.com]

M. Track. Men's Track & Field Opens Indoor Season at Yale Invitational Tomorrow [uconnhuskies.com]

W. Track. Women's Track and Field Heads to Yale Invite for 2014 Season Opener [uconnhuskies.com]

W. Ice Hockey. UConn Skates Up To Vermont For Two League Games [uconnhuskies.com]

Follow Ian on Twitter @soxanddawgs. And be sure to like us on Facebook as well.

Video: Are You A Couchgater?

Here's a great ad from the UConn Huskies ticket office.

Couchgator: One who, when given the opportunity, would watch a sporting event on television versus actually being there

http://youtube.com/watch?v=hIN7Y0RVgYo?rel=0

Follow Ian on Twitter @soxanddawgs. And be sure to like us on Facebook as well.

Vote SOX & Dawgs As Best Blogger

We need your help people.

We were nominated in the Best Blogger category for Hartford Magazine's Best of 2014 and we'd like to try and give some of the bigger named bloggers in the state of Connecticut a run for their money in the voting.

The good thing is I'll only ask you to vote once since that's all you're allowed.

You can vote at Hartford Magazine's website. You'll have to sign up first. Once you do, head over to the local people section of the voting and look for the blogger section. In the pulldown menu, select SOX & Dawgs.

You'll have to vote in nine other categories so if you're not from the state of the Connecticut, just pick someone to vote for. All I ask is that you vote for us in the blogger section. You'll receive a confirmation email after voting to confirm your votes and you shouldn't receive any other email from them.

Voting ends on March 4, 2014 at 11:59 PM EST. But don't hesitate, get your votes in now.

We thank you in advance for your support!

Ian & Steve

Follow Ian on Twitter @soxanddawgs. And be sure to like us on Facebook as well.

Wolf Pack to Hold Open Public Address Announcer Tryout

HARTFORD, January 10, 2014: Global Spectrum, operators of the XL Center and Hartford Wolf Pack, today announced an open tryout for a substitute public address announcer for Wolf Pack home games.

Hartford Wolf Pack
The Wolf Pack will hold open tryouts, beginning immediately, on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook for a public address talent to fill in at the Pack’s XL Center games January 24 and February 4. Those interested in giving the gig a shot are asked to upload an audition sample to Instagram at @hartford_wolfpack or to Twitter using the hashtag #WolfPackAnnouncer. Fans can also post their video submission on the Wolf Pack Facebook page.

Twitter: @WolfPackAHL

Facebook: www.facebook.com/HartfordWolfPack

Instagram: @hartford_wolfpack

The sample should be of the candidate reading the following script:

“Ladies and gentlemen, now welcome to the ice your HARTFORD WOLF PACK!”

“Wolf Pack goal scored by number 29, DANNY KRISTO!”

Entries must be posted by Friday, January 17^th at 12 noon. Three finalists will then be selected for in-person tryouts the week of January 20. All entrants must be available for both the January 24 and February 4 games.

The Wolf Pack are back in action tonight, traveling to Worcester to battle the Sharks. Faceoff is 7:30 PM, and all the action can be heard live on Fox Sports Radio 1410, and on-line at www.foxsportsradio1410.com and iHeartRadio. Video streaming is available at www.ahllive.com.

The Wolf Pack’s next home game is Friday, January 24, a 7:00 PM contest against the Springfield Falcons. All Wolf Pack Friday-night home games feature $1 hot dogs and $2 beers through the start of the second period, presented by Marc’s Appliance Warehouse, located at 75 Prospect Ave., Hartford, CT.

Tickets for all Wolf Pack 2013-14 home games are on sale now at the Public Power Ticket Office at the XL Center, on-line at www.hartfordwolfpack.com and by phone at (877) 522-8499. Wolf Pack tickets start as low as $12 for youth 12 years old or younger. To speak with a representative about season or group tickets, call (855) 762-6451.

Follow Ian on Twitter @soxanddawgs. And be sure to like us on Facebook as well.

Paw Prints – The Daily UConn Roundup – 1/9

UConn Huskies Daily Roundup

Thank you for stopping by and making SOX & Dawgs your home for UConn Huskies news.

To open the links up in a new tab or window, use Control+click

UConn Women's Basketball links

Geno Is Right Again: Stewie Could Be The Best Ever [john altavilla – hartford courant]

Numerous Huskies Have A Golden History With USA Basketball [rich elliott – hartford courant]

Unlimited Potential: UConn's Stewart Keeps Getting Better [hartford courant]

Auriemma knows UConn blowouts are better than bad habits [new haven register]

5 Things to Do To Beat UConn [espnW]

The Geno Auriemma Show: Talking opponents and rivalries [snyuconn.com]

UConn Men's Basketball links

Video: UConn Men Grind One Out Against Harvard, 61-56 [sox & dawgs]

Wrapping Things Up From Gampel [dom amore – hartford courant]

UConn Goes from Tears (Almost) to Cheers, Pulls Out Win Over Crimson [david borges – new haven register]

Post-game breakdown, video: Harvard [gavin keefe – the day]

Postgame quotes/notes from UConn’s 61-56 win over Harvard [william paxton – ct post]

UConn escapes [neill ostrout – journal inquirer]

UConn report: Defense, 3-pointers get Huskies back on track [william paxton – ct post]

Grinding it out [john silver – snyuconn.com]

Desperate Times [uconn huskies basketball]

Game report: Napier leads UConn, which holds off Harvard [ct post]

UConn Snaps Losing Streak, Holds Off Harvard, 61-56 [hartford courant]

Crimson Were Without Their Leading Scorer [hartford courant]

Recovery Comes One Game At A Time For UConn [hartford courant]

UConn beats Harvard to snap losing streak [new haven register]

Huskies find a way [the day]

This win may come in handy [the day]

UConn Football links

UConn QB Coach Don Patterson Talks QBs (Video) [desmond conner – hartford courant]

Huskies Offensive Line Coach Mike Foley On Being Retained [desmond conner – hartford courant]

UConn RB Coach Ernest Jones, Huskies Runnings Backs Feel Excitement Coming [desmond conner – hartford courant]

UConn's new quarterbacks coach has quite the story to tell [jim fuller – new haven register]

Assistants media meet and greet [john silver – snyuconn.com]

UConn Football Coaching Staff Meets The Media [uconnhuskies.com]

Team Unity: UConn Football Assistants Have Diaco's Back [hartford courant]

New Offensive Coordinator Cummings Digs In At UConn [hartford courant]

The Interview: Associate Head Football Coach Don Patterson [hartford courant]

Bob Diaco returns the favor, hires Don Patterson [new haven register]

Other UConn related links

M. Ice Hockey. UConn Hosts Robert Morris Thursday and Friday in AHA Action [uconnhuskies.com]

Huskies fail to net graduates [stamford advocate]

Follow Ian on Twitter @soxanddawgs. And be sure to like us on Facebook as well.

Video: UConn Men Grind One Out Against Harvard, 61-56

After the Texas two-misstep, the UConn Huskies men's basketball team was in a need of a win. I wouldn't say they were desperate, I'll just say they needed a win badly in their final non-conference game of the 2013-14 season.

The win almost didn't happen as they saw their eight point lead with 1:30 to go suddenly knocked down to three with 10 seconds left. After a Niels Giffey turnover, DeAndre Daniels was able to get a turnover and knock down the free throws to seal a 61-56 win for UConn over the Harvard Crimson in front of 9,218 at Gampel Pavilion on Wednesday night.

The Huskies improve to 12-3 and went 12-1 in non-conference action. The Crimson fall to 13-2 and the loss snapped a nine-game road winning streak.

Shabazz Napier led the Huskies with 18 points, 13 of which came in the second half, and pulled down seven rebounds. Ryan Boatright had 14 points while Daniels had 11 points, a team-high eight rebounds and four blocked shots.

Lasan Kromah had nine points, five rebounds and three assists in his first start in a UConn uniform.

Siyani Chambers paced Harvard with a game-high 21 points. Laurent Rivard had 13 points while Kyle Casey had 10 points and nine rebounds.

Brandyn Curry had a nice game with seven points, five rebounds and six assists for the Crimson who were playing without one of their stars in Wesley Saunders.

After what happened in Texas this win was a good one for the Huskies. It may not have been pretty especially as they trailed at halftime by five points.

But in the second half, they stepped up their defense and that really turned out to be the difference.

The Huskies go back to conference play on Saturday as they'll host the UCF Knights at Gampel Pavilion. Tip is scheduled for 6 p.m.

Harvard Crimson @ UConn Huskies 1/8/14 box score

Here are UConn's postgame quotes.

Here are UConn's postgame notes.

Follow Ian on Twitter @soxanddawgs. And be sure to like us on Facebook as well.

photo credit: john woike – hartford courant

Paw Prints – The Daily UConn Roundup – 1/8

UConn Huskies Daily Roundup

Thank you for stopping by and making SOX & Dawgs your home for UConn Huskies news.

It's game day for the UConn Huskies men's basketball team as they'll host the Harvard Crimson at Gampel Pavilion. Tip is scheduled for 7 p.m. and the game will be televised nationally on ESPNU. You can also catch the game online at WatchESPN.

To open the links up in a new tab or window, use Control+click

UConn Men's Basketball links

On Getting Giffey Open … Notes, Quotes From Practice [dom amore – hartford courant]

Kevin Ollie Needs Your Votes in the Infiniti Coaches’ Charity Challenge [dom amore – hartford courant]

UConn Working on Getting Niels Giffey More Shots [david borges – new haven register]

Harvard at UConn: Details, analysis, coach’s comments [ed daigneault – waterbury republican-american]

Pahk yah cah, Mista? [neill ostrout – journal inquirer]

UConn practice quick notes [william paxton – ct post]

Huskies remain calm during tough times [william paxton – ct post]

Getting Giffey the ball [john silver – snyuconn.com]

UConn Men's Basketball Returns Home For Midweek Contest Against Harvard On Wednesday [uconnhuskies.com]

Healthier Brimah may help slumping Huskies [ct post]

Reeling Huskies Set For Harvard In Last Nonconference Game [hartford courant]

Nut And 3 Nutmeggers: Trio From Connecticut Should Avoid Rodman [hartford courant]

Huskies hosting hot Harvard, hoping to snap skid [new haven register]

UConn men host Harvard tonight [the day]

UConn Women's Basketball links

Video: UConn Women Tame Cougars, 90-40 [sox & dawgs]

Stewart, Tuck give Houston big problems [carl adamec – snyuconn.com]

Stewart shooting for more with USA Basketball [carl adamec – snyuconn.com]

Notebook: Huskies enjoying block party [carl adamec – snyuconn.com]

Geno On Breanna Stewart’s USA Basketball Honor [john altavilla – hartford courant]

Stewart Has Eyes On Making 2016 U.S. Olympic Team [rich elliott – ct post]

Mosqueda-Lewis’ Plan Spoiled By Trojian [rich elliott – ct post]

Only Single Seats Remain For Saturday’s Game in Bridgeport [rich elliott – ct post]

Pair of UConn commits nominated for McDonald's All-American game [jim fuller – new haven register]

USA Basketball experiences breeds winning for UConn players [jim fuller – new haven register]

Game report: Stewart, UConn steamroll Houston [ct post]

UConn's Stewart building great U.S. resume [ct post]

Red-Hot UConn Women Leave Houston Out In The Cold [hartford courant]

Stewart Again Named Female Basketball Player Of The Year [hartford courant]

No. 1 UConn women overwhelm Houston [new haven register]

Geno Overtime: Scheduling an opponent [snyuconn.com]

Other UConn related links

M. Soccer. UConn Men's Soccer Coach Ray Reid To Be Honored By The Connecticut Sports Writers' Alliance In April [uconnhuskies.com]

W. Ice Hockey. Two Late Goals Spark No. 5/4 Harvard Past UConn, 2-1 [uconnhuskies.com]

Follow Ian on Twitter @soxanddawgs. And be sure to like us on Facebook as well.

Video: UConn Women Tame Cougars, 90-40

It may have been nice and old outside of Gampel Pavilion on Tuesday night but the baskets inside were hot from all the UConn baskets being scored.

Super sophomore Breanna Stewart had 24 points, nine rebounds and six blocked shots to lead the UConn Huskies women's basketball team to an easy 90-40 win over the Houston Cougars in front of 6,257 fans.

The No. 1 Huskies improve to 16-0 (4-0 American) while the Cougars fall to (4-11, 0-4).

Morgan Tuck came off the bench to score 19 points in just 13 minutes of action. Kiah Stokes had a double-double off the bench with 10 points and 10 rebounds.

Stefanie Dolson added eight points, nine rebounds and a career-high seven blocked shots. Moriah Jefferson led the Huskies with six points to go along with her six points.

Jefferson's best friend from high school, Alecia Smith, led the Cougars with 11 points and five rebounds. Marche' Amerson also had 11 points in the losing effort.

UConn fell behind 2-0 then scored the next 18 points. After a Houston three, they followed that up with a 21-0 run and put the game out of reach as if it already weren't.

The Huskies are back in action on Saturday afternoon when they'll host former assistant coach Tonya Cardoza and the Temple Owls at Webster Bank Arena in Bridgeport, CT. Tip is scheduled for 12 p.m.

Houston Cougars @ UConn Huskies 1/7/14 box score

Here are UConn's postgame quotes.

Here are UConn's postgame notes.

Follow Ian on Twitter @soxanddawgs. And be sure to like us on Facebook as well.

photo credit: richard messina – hartford courant